Tech News Blog
4.01.05
More Internet Explorer Issues Revealed
Internet Explorer and Outlook have ‘high risk’ problems that could compromise Windows PCs according to a report from eWeek. A security company, eEye, disclosed the flaw to Microsoft on March 16th but the software giant moves slowly at times and currently is in the process of “investigating” after which “appropriate action” will be taken. Chances are Microsoft will include a patch in the upcoming April update.

New Virus and for Microsoft it is the Pitt(s)
CNET reports that a new worm dubbed Ahker-F is slithering across the Internet and spreading denial-of-service (DOS) attacks on Microsoft. The bait for this hook is a racy photo of heart throbs Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Britney Spears. The subject line includes: "Watch Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt cought (sic) on TAPE! SEXY CLIP! WATCH IT!" The message has an attached .Zip file that includes a worm that will disable the PCs security system and then start a DOS attack against Microsoft; don’t open this attachment unless you want to ruin your weekend.

Microsoft Positives: Massive Assault Against Phishers
Not all the news about Microsoft is bad, unless you are one of the 117 alleged phishers served with civil lawsuits on Thursday. Unbelievably, this is only the tip of the iceberg in that Microsoft is only after the ‘large-scale scam operations’ according to PC World. The minor crooks are still safe to plunder innocent victims until we get a global agreement on how to handle these international problems.

Google Will Increase Gmail Storage
Google will be expanding the storage capacity of their Gmail accounts, increasing the pressure on other email providers to ante up or shut up. The new storage capacity will be a whopping 2GB according to a story by CNET.

Apple Set to Launch Apple TV?
According to Kirk McElhearn, an Apple guru that lives in the Alps, he has been recording broadcasts of the soon-to-be-introduced Apple TV. Kirk had an image of the test pattern posted on his web site Kirkville, but removed the picture at the request of Apple’s legal beagles. Check out Kirkville and the details of this interesting new path Apple is pursing. Hopefully, this isn't Kirk's idea of an April Fools joke, but the timing is right!

Fix for Mac to PC iTunes Music Sharing Problem
MacFixIt has a solution for the problem of sharing iTunes files between Macs to PCs, an issue that started appearing after the last update from Apple. The web site has a suggestion for printer problems also associated with the recent update.

Tiger is a Top-Seller on Amazon.com
According to ActiveMac, Apple’s new operating system OS X 10.4 (AKA Tiger) is the number one seller at Amazon.com. You can save $35 of the retail cost by pre-ordering Tiger. Help support this web site and use the link below. Thanks!

Pre-order Tiger Save $35

Free Extension Lets You Do the Switcheroo
If you would like to use a Windows keyboard with your Mac, DoubleCommand 1.5.3 is the kernel extension for you. This free tool allows you to swap the functions of the Windows and Alt keys according to MacWorld. I have used a previous release of this extension before and it works as advertised. If you are adding a Mac Mini and are entering the Multiple Platforms World, you should check out this tool.

Camino Update for Macs
Mozilla has released Camino 0.83, an update for the popular open source browser available for Mac-heads. MacNN reports that the update includes fixes for security, HTML support, and other issues. Visit MacNN or Mozilla to learn more about this release.

Review of Linspire
Linspire is an operating system (OS) that is included on PCs sold at the big box stores and the company has just released a new operating system, Linspire 5. Inspire Programming has a review of this release of the Linux based OS and the author gives the platform a rating of eight of a possible 10.

Open Source Updates
Secunia released the following bulletins for open source systems: Fedora (1, 2), Gentoo (1, 2), Mandrake (1, 2, 3), SuSE, and Debian (1).

Listen, Learn, and Laugh
Leo Laporte is The Tech Guy on KFI and he answers questions about all things digital on the weekends from 11 am to 1 pm on AM640; you can also listen to Leo via the Internet by visiting his web site and clicking on the KFI logo. Leo is a Multiple Platforms person and loves to talk about all the platforms, from Apple to Ubuntu and Xandros. I will be tending the show notes for Leo this weekend.

Multiple Platforms’ Tip of the Day: Free Music
Don’t forget that you can download a free song every week courtesy of Apple’s iTunes Music Store. Just click on the iTunes Music store logo on the left side of this page and you will get your free tune. You can help support this web site by purchasing your iTunes music through our link to the Apple Music store.

What is IEEE 802.11?
We wrap up the weeks focus with a link to Wikipedia with the following definition and other useful information (like channels you can use ‘legally’ in your region), “IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi denotes a set of Wireless LAN standards developed by working group 11 of the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee (IEEE 802). The term is also used to refer to the original 802.11, which is now sometimes called ‘802.11legacy’.

The 802.11 family currently includes six over-the-air modulation techniques that all use the same protocol, the most popular (and prolific) techniques are those defined by the a, b, and g amendments to the original standard; security was originally included, and was later enhanced via the 802.11i amendment. Other standards in the family (c–f, h–j, n) are service enhancement and extensions, or corrections to previous specifications. 802.11b was the first widely accepted wireless networking standard, followed (somewhat counter-intuitively) by 802.11a and 802.11g.

802.11b and 802.11g standards use the unlicensed 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) band. The 802.11a standard uses the 5 GHz band. Operating in an unregulated frequency band, 802.11b and 802.11g equipment can incur interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other appliances using the same 2.4 GHz band.”

Tech News Blog
3.31.05
Phishers Ply New Waters
While phishing attacks via email declined in February, security experts noticed an increase in phishing attempts using instant messaging software. According to the report carried by CNET, the phishers attacking victims through IM programs lure users to a phony web site then try to extract sensitive information; do not follow links you view in IM, instead open a new web browser and type in the domain name of the site you wish to visit.

Microsoft Begins Crackdown on Pirates
According to PC World, “Microsoft will require users who want to download local language add-ons to Windows to first validate their copy of the operating system as legitimate.” This is the first step by Microsoft in their efforts to stem what they perceive as a piracy problem. Microsoft has named this new piracy protection tool the “Windows Genuine Advantage”; advantage to Microsoft without a doubt.

Symantec: Yes Flaws Exists in Anti-virus Software
After spending the week trashing the security of Apple’s OS X, Symantec has acknowledged there are problems with their anti-virus software. The flaw was detailed in this column yesterday and can allow crackers to initiate denial-of-service attack against your PC according to CNET. If you are using Norton Antivirus, use LiveUpdate to download the patch from Symantec.

Microsoft Provides Video Downloads To Go
According to PC World, Microsoft has a new service aimed at users of Windows Mobile-based devices. MSN Video Downloads will offer clips from the entertainment world and television programs from Microsoft partners CinemaNow, MSNBC.com, and TiVo.

Review: Mac Mini as Home Media Center
It is possible to use a Mac Mini for your home media center and the MacMegasite has a first look at how the newest member of the Apple family performs. The author details the setup and provides links to the peripherals and software used with the project. The bottom line, it works and the bugs will disappear as more developers release products for this market niche.

No Las Vegas Comdex 2005
Organizers are unable to rebound from the one-year hiatus of the Comdex trade show and have announced there will not be a Comdex 2005 this November in Las Vegas. If you want to catch a Comdex show, book a flight to France or Greece as these events are still scheduled to take place according to PC World.

Open Source Updates
Secunia released these updates for open source users: Fedora (1, 2, 3), OpenBSD, Gentoo, Red Hat (graded highly critical), and Debian.

Apple Tip of the Day: Catalog Your Library
Booxter is a cool tool I used last weekend to begin cataloging my non-virtual library. You can use the tool free to catalog a small library (under 30 books) or you can purchase the full version for $14.99. I was interested in cataloging and establishing the textbooks I have accumulated for my field of study (Biology) and the books from my hobbies. The application allows you to record where you have the books located and if you have the ISBN or Library of Congress number, you will have access to an incredible amount of information. For instance, the program provides you with a value for books when available; I was astounded to learn that my collection of textbooks alone is worth $2000! This could be a valuable tool in the event of a catastrophic event and could provide you with proof of ownership for insurance purposes.

PC Tip of the Day: Tablet PCs Are For Road Warriors
In keeping with the wireless topic of the week, Tablet PC users who travel are the targets of the PC tip of the day. Microsoft provides advice for road warriors and they even provide tips on backing up before you start.

What is IrDA?
According to Wikipedia, “The Infrared Data Association (IrDA) defines physical specifications communications protocol standards for the short range exchange of data over infrared light, for uses such as personal area networks (PANs).”

Tech News Blog
3.30.05
Another Day, Another 98,000 ID’s Ripped Off
If it’s Wednesday, it must be the University of California at Berkeley’s turn to announce another incident of identity theft. Not satisfied with just keeping up the trend, UC Berkeley topped the records set by CSU Chico and Boston College last week. Much like the other incidents, a significant period elapsed before officials deemed it necessary for the victims to be informed according to a report by CNET. In a related story also carried by CNET, Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced legislation that will make victim notification mandatory anytime personal information has been accessed by unauthorized sources.

Should a CD Last Forever? Add Your Two Cents Worth
How long should your optical discs last? Although CDs can last longer than some other forms of recordable media, there is a finite life span and that can be shortened considerably depending upon how you store and use the discs. According to a story in CNET, you can add your two cents to this debate by participating in a survey sponsored in part by the U. S. government.

Supreme Court Spends Time Pondering Virtual World
The U. S. Supreme Court spent a considerable amount of time pondering the future of the virtual world as they listened to arguments for and against peer-to-peer file sharing software and considered the future of broadband access according to reports from PC World. Decisions on these matters will be released latter this year.

Open Source Updates
Secunia has these update and security bulletins for the open source world: Debian (1, 2), Fedora (1, 2, 3 –Highly Critical), FreeBSD, Mandrake, Red Hat, and SuSE.

Apple Tip of the Day: Manage Multiple Photo Library
If you use more than a single photo library Rick Neil’s free Photo Buddy could be the solution to your conundrum and this utility functions with iMovie and iDVD too. The tool receives high marks from reviewers (4.6 out of 5 stars) and you can download the application at the VersionTracker web site.

PC Tip of the Day: Battle the Bulge When Ripping CDs
If you are ripping a multitude of CDs to your Windows PC, you might want to visit Microsoft’s support site to learn about your options. You can configure your imports to limit the size of the files you are ripping, or if you want to preserve maximum sound quality and hard drive space is not an issue, you can increase the Kbps to capture the best sound quality available from the CD.

What is Bluetooth?
You can develop a sweet-tooth for Bluetooth and Wikipedia has the following definition, “Bluetooth is a wireless radio standard primarily designed for low power consumption, with a short range (up to 10 meters [1],) and with a low-cost transceiver microchip in each device.

It can be used to wirelessly connect peripherals like printers or keyboards to computers, or to have PDAs communicate with other nearby PDAs or computers.

Cell phones with integrated Bluetooth technology have also been sold in large numbers, and are able to connect to computers, PDAs and, specifically, to hands free devices. BMW was the first motor vehicle manufacturer to install hands free Bluetooth technology in its cars, adding it as an option on its 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 vehicles. Since then, other manufacturers have followed suit, with many vehicles, including the 2004 Toyota Prius and the 2004 Lexus LS 430. The Bluetooth car kits allow users with Bluetooth-equipped cell phones to make use of some of the phone's features, such as making calls, while the phone itself can be left in a suitcase or in the boot/trunk, for instance.

The standard also includes support for more powerful, longer-range devices suitable for constructing wireless LANs.

A Bluetooth device playing the role of "master" can communicate with up to seven devices playing the role of "slave". At any given instant in time, data can be transferred between the master and one slave; but the master switches rapidly from slave to slave in a round-robin fashion. (Simultaneous transmission from the master to multiple slaves is possible, but not used much in practice). These groups of up to 8 devices (1 master and 7 slaves) are called piconets.

The Bluetooth specification also allows connecting two or more piconets together to form a scatternet, with some devices acting as a bridge by simultaneously playing the master role in one piconet and the slave role in another piconet. These devices have yet to come, though are supposed to appear within the next two years.

Any device may perform an "inquiry" to find other devices to which to connect, and any device can be configured to respond to such inquiries.

Pairs of devices may establish a trusted relationship by learning (by user input) a shared secret known as a "passkey". A device that wants to communicate only with a trusted device can cryptographically authenticate the identity of the other device. Trusted devices may also encrypt the data that they exchange over the air so that no one can listen in.”

Tech News Blog
3.29.05
Microsoft to Legacy Operating Systems: Oops
Via a post on discussion boards, Microsoft notified Windows 98/ 98SE, and Windows ME users of a flaw contained in the patch issued during January 2005. According to a report from CRN, the company has confirmed the problem and is working on a solution. If you are having slow down issues or hanging issues while using Internet Explorer, you should probably uninstall the last update.

Hold That Thought
Legal worries will quash a virus-writing contest initiated after Symantec’s self-serving claims regarding threats to Apple users. A bad idea started looking even worse when it appeared that the organizers could be in violation of the law. According to ZDNET, the company responsible for the ‘contest’ claimed that it wasn’t done as a publicity stunt, and in that spirit, we will not identify them and I will not include a link to their business. Symantec’s continued crowing this week is helping their publicity drive as more news reports are carrying the story about this ‘threat (see TLR 3.26.05)’. Ironically, Secunia announced Symantec’s product Norton is vulnerable to a Denial of Service attack from a malicious remote user (AKA Crackers). Maybe the security giant should focus on their current line of products instead of trying to drum up future business. The bottom line here is, OS X has been out for four years and has yet to be attacked and when Tiger is released, the crackers will have to start over.

Pre-Order Tiger and Save $35
You can pre-order Apple’s new operating system Tiger from Amzon.com and save $35. Please help support this web site by using the link below to order the latest release from Apple. I am still trying to cover the costs incurred for this web site over the past year and your support will be appreciated.

Open Source Updates
Secunia released the following update or security bulletins for open source users: Fedora (1, 2), Red Hat (1, 2, 3), Gentoo, Conectiva, Sun Solaris, Ubuntu, and Linux Kernel.

Apple Tip of the Day: Capture Screen to Clipboard
Apple users can capture screens using the Grab application or they can use the Apple.com Pro Tip from last week. If you press Shift- Control- Command- 3 (or 4) you can capture the screen image to the Clipboard. The author uses this for pasting screen shots into Photoshop.

PC Tip of the Day: Move Your Music to Your Portable Device
Secunia announced a DOS flaw exists in Norton’s AntiVirus software and if you use this product as your anti-virus protection, use LiveUpdate to install the new patch ASAP.

What is WPAN?
Wikipedia has this definition for WPAN, “A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a personal area network (PAN) that uses radio rather than wires.”

Tech News Blog
3.28.05
Grokster Prepares for Date With the Supreme Court
In a battle many within the industry feel could have far reaching affects, the United States Supreme Court will hear the case of MGM vs. Grokster. Grokster created a software package that allows computer users to share files (AKA peer to peer software or P- to –P). Insiders in the computer world like Leo Laporte, and industry watchers like PC World are closely watching this case because of the future implications a decision favoring MGM could initiate; read more about this issue in the item below.

Knight in Shining Armor Arrives for Grokster
Billionaire Mark Cuban announced he would be riding to the rescue of Grokster, the peer-to-peer software company. CNET reports that Cuban will play the part of a knight in shining armor and supply the funding for the legal defenses incurred by Grokster in the a battle Cuban fears could result in the death of technological innovation.

Not All File Sharing is Bad
To demonstrate the positive effects of file sharing, The Fingerprint Sharing Alliance (FSA) will share data on crackers in real time. CNET reports that this group will not only share information but also communicate any attacks on their servers immediately in an effort to limit the impact of coordinated Internet attacks. The FSA includes communication giants like Earthlink, MCI, Cisco, British Telecom, and others.

Sleepy Macs Continued
MacFixIt continues to report problems with Apple computers that are reluctant to wake from the sleep state. The work around is to unplug all external devices before putting your Mac to sleep; this sounds like a major hassle, and I hope Apple addresses the situation soon. Instead of putting a Mac to sleep, I think it might be easier to shut down and restart unless your start up time is excessively long. If the latter is a problem for you, Mac guru John Gruber has been exploring a problem with extremely long login times at his web site, Daring Fireball.

New Release of Gentoo Available
The wait is over as Gentoo released their latest version of Gentoo Linux 2005.0/. The update contains security updates and package upgrades according to DistroWatch.

Open Source Updates
Secunia released bulletins for the following open source systems: SuSE (1), Slackware, and Gentoo (1, 2, 3, 4).

Multiple Platforms’ Tip of the Day: Stop Blocking Your Wireless Signal
The tip of the day relates to the topic of the week for the Multiple Platforms What Is section, the world of wireless networking. According to the PC World’s March 2005 issue, you can block your wireless signal if you surround your wireless router with CDs. Much like a Faraday cage, the metallic substances within the CD can deflect the signal. PC World is an excellent magazine and their web site carries many of their reviews and articles.

What Is a WLAN?
This week the ‘what is’ section will focus on the words of wireless. Wikipedia provides this definition for wireless LAN: “A wireless LAN or WLAN is a wireless local area network that uses radio waves as its carrier: the last link with the users is wireless, to give a network connection to all users in a building or campus. The backbone network usually uses cables.

WLAN is expected to continue to be an important form of connection in many business areas. The market is expected to grow as the benefits of WLAN are recognized. Frost and Sullivan estimate the WLAN market to have been 0.3 billion US dollars in 1998 and 1.6 billion dollars in 2005. So far, WLANs have been installed in universities, airports, and other major public places. Decreasing costs of WLAN equipment has also brought it to many homes. However, in the UK the exorbitant cost of using such connections has so far limited use to airports' Business Class lounges, etc. Large future markets are estimated to be in health care, corporate offices and the downtown area of major cities. New York City has even begun a pilot program to cover all five boroughs of the city with wireless Internet.

Originally WLAN hardware was so expensive that it was only used as an alternative to cabled LAN in places where cabling was difficult or impossible. Such places could be old protected buildings or classrooms, although the restricted range of the 802.11b (typically 30ft.) limits its use to smaller buildings. WLAN components are now cheap enough to be used in the home, with many being set-up so that one PC (a parent's PC, for example) can be used to share an Internet connection with the whole family (whilst retaining access control at the parents' PC).”